New Scheme For Egg Marketing

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30858, 17 September 1965, Page 3

New Scheme For Egg Marketing

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, September 16. The Government has approved in principle an egg marketing contract scheme which the New Zealand Poultry Board proposes to adopt, the Minister of Lands (Mr Gerard) told Parliament today.

“The scheme will be financed by a levy, not exceeding Is 6d a bird, on pullet chicks hatched at commercial hatcheries. It is expected that in the initial stages of the scheme the levy will not be more than Is,” the Minister said.

Mr Gerard said producers who took up contracts under the scheme would be required to observe the conditions of the present egg quality improvement scheme. Small producers, who may feel it would be uneconomic to comply with the conditions of the contract, would still be able to supply distributors freely, as at present. Mr Gerard had been asked by Sir Basil Arthur (Opp., Timaru) if he could confirm that the Government had approved the scheme, which would impose a chick levy of Is 6d a bird and that this levy would provide funds for the proposed egg marketing contract scheme. Price Of Eggs

Sir Basil Arthur also wanted an assurance that the introduction of the scheme would not mean an increase in the price of eggs. “I am assured by the New Zealand Poultry Board that there is no reason to believe that egg prices will be higher as a result of the proposed egg marketing contract scheme,” Mr Gerard said. “The object of the scheme

is to ensure an ample supply of eggs to consumers at reasonable prices at all times Contract suppliers under the scheme will not receive a guaranteed price for their eggs, nor is a flat retail price throughout the year envisaged.”